Hello All, as repotting season rapidly approaches, I've been wondering what kind of success rates people have had with the "bare-root half" technique on conifers. As a disclaimer I'm not going after the validity of this technique. Just curious how many have had trees suffer, jump into high gear (vibrant health), lose limbs, saved a tree from stress, etc.

I've never done it, but work with a number of people who do. Photos during repotting are difficult, but any are appreciated of trees repotted in this manner before and after or just comments.

The other questions are:How did the tree(s) do after the other half was repotted?Are there specific species of conifers that have been deemed not suitable for this repotting method? Is the tree left alone for an extended period (say longer than a year) after the second half is repotted?

It's not Any more of a challenge to water than any other normally repotted plant with a more solid root ball and free draining fresh soil. Water until the old soil is wet throughout. It's virtually impossible to overwater the fresh soil. Water runs right through.

I have a Western Juniper that we're replacing the old field soil using "half bare root" technique. But, since it was yamadori, we just did a "third" bare root. Two down, one to go. We're also changing the planting angle, so doing it by thirds lets us change the potting angle in stages.

Hmm he said, scratching his chin. I remember when this method first appeared but not whose idea it was. Saw it on Bonsai Tonight too. Using angled tweezers. The mycorrhizae says it all. Was it Hagedorn?

Dan, if you watch Bjorn's YouTube Series Bonsai Art of Japan Episode 26, it details the way I repot most trees. Got in a lot of trouble filming that one. We don't like to leave the root systems in open air too long.

As for plants in nursery production media, I do something similar to the above video, but usually take the bottom 1/3 or 1/2 of root ball off if plant can handle it first.

Just so we are all singing from the same hymn book, we don't do a half bare root repot every time. It's when the tree has to be removed from old, poor soil. Like regular nursery mix. Or potting a yamadori and changing the soil to bonsai soil.

On a standard repot, where the tree is already in good soil, just do a standard repot. No bare rooting at all, except for teasing out 1/2 inch all around the root ball. Except on the bottom. It should be flat and smooth.

I'll be repotting a JBP soon and I'll be sure to document the process. I acquired the tree from an older friend whom ran into some health problems and could no longer care for it. The soil is very slow draining so I think it's been a good stretch between root work. Should I try this "half-bare root"? I've got my "Boon mix" ready but I'm unsure if spring will ever come!!